Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between patient-rated physician empathy
and outcome of botulinum toxin treatment for post-stroke upper limb spasticity.
SUBJECTS: Twenty chronic stroke patients with upper limb
spasticity. METHODS:
All patients received incobotulinumtoxinA injection in at
least one muscle for each of the following patterns: flexed elbow, flexed wrist
and clenched fist. Each treatment was performed by 1 of 5 physiatrists with
equivalent clinical experience. Patient-rated physician empathy was quantified
with the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure immediately after botulinum
toxin treatment. Patients were evaluated before and at 4 weeks after botulinum
toxin treatment by means of the following outcome measures: Modified Ashworth
Scale; Wolf Motor Function Test; Disability Assessment Scale; Goal Attainment
Scaling. RESULTS: Ordinal regression analysis showed a significant influence of
patient-rated physician empathy (independent variable) on the outcome (dependent
variables) of botulinum toxin treatment at 4 weeks after injection, as measured
by Goal Attainment Scaling (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings support the
hypothesis that patient-rated physician empathy may influence the outcome of
botulinum toxin treatment in chronic stroke patients with upper limb spasticity
as measured by Goal Attainment Scaling.

Langue : ANGLAIS